Granger’s 14 Fourth-Quarter Points Help Pacers Get Past Magic 107-102

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap

Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger

The Indiana Pacers, if they expect to realize any playoff aspirations, will probably have to ride the broad shoulders of Danny Granger for those dreams to come true. If Friday night’s game was any indication, they are off to a good start as Granger scored 14 fourth-quarter points, leading Indiana to the 107-102 win over the Orlando Magic at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Indiana had a good start as they shot 53% in the first half as they would go into the third quarter with a 61-51 lead; however, Orlando went on a 10-2 to open the period as Rashard Lewis’ 3-pointer trimmed the Pacers’ lead to 63-61. Hedo Turkoglu would tie the game with a layup, but Indiana would go on a 17-2 run, including 9 points by Troy Murphy and 6 by T.J. Ford, to take an 80-65 lead; the Magic would close the third with a 9-0 run, narrowing their deficit to 80-74 entering the fourth quarter.

With 8:20 left in the game, Turkoglu would tie things up with a pair of free throws. Indiana would lead 102-99 in the final minute and Orlando had a chance to tie it up again before the Magic’s J.J. Redick was whistled for an offensive foul for elbowing Mike Dunleavy. Ford dribbled to run down the game clock and was fouled by Courtney Lee with 19 ticks left; Ford would miss the first free throw but make the second, giving the Pacers 103-99 and the win.

Indiana’s high scorer was Granger with 33 points (including 3 three-pointers), 5 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocked shots while Ford added 21 with a rebound, 5 assists, 3 steals and a blocked shot; Murphy chipped in 20 with 8 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a blocked shot.

Orlando was led by Dwight Howard with 21 points, 20 rebounds and a blocked shot while Turkoglu added 20 with 6 rebounds and 11 assists; Redick pitched in 17 (including 3 treys) from off the bench with 4 rebounds and 2 assists while Lewis poured in 16 (including 4 three-pointers) with 4 rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot. Indiana (20-31) plays again on Sunday when they travel to Washington to take on the Wizards while Orlando (37-12) returns home to host the New Jersey Nets – also on Sunday.

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